This Footage Shows a Satellites-Eye View of a Space Launch

The European Space Agency released incredible video footage showing the ascent of its Sentinel 1A satellite. The footage was captured by external cameras mounted on the satellite’s launch vehicle. The video offers a wondrous, new perspective on space launches.

The footage from the downward-pointing camera first captures the fire and smoke caused by the initial launch, and then shows the gradually increasing distance between itself and the earth as the satellite blasts off toward space. Viewers can then see blue skies and clouds as the satellite departs the Earth. Once the satellite is in outer space, the camera offers brilliant views of the globe.